ATLANTA, GA, US – The blue mountain coffee supplier, J. Martinez, discusses why coffee growers in Costa Rica are so thankful to have Mother Nature on their side. As if ideal soil and weather conditions do not pose enough challenges to farmers, the onslaught of bugs on delicate crops only adds to the difficulty of achieving successful yields.
In particular, the Kona coffee experts note the coffee berry borey beetle is one of the most loathed and feared insects in the region, as these pests have a knack for feeding on coffee plants.
Given that it can be very costly to spray pesticides as well as potentially risk causing more damage to crops, Costa Rica growers are fortunate to have birds on their side.
Birds are a coffee grower’s best friend
The Jamaican coffee providers say yellow warblers find beetles to be a delicacy and are a welcomed sight on plantations.
It has been found that these and other similar bird species save an estimated $10,000 per year for the standard coffee farm.
This is a substantial amount of money in Costa Rica, and is nearly equal to the average income in the country.
According to John Martinez, Owner of J. Martinez & Company, “The borer beetle has long been considered a menace to coffee farmers. Unlike other pests, it cannot be eliminated by crop spraying.
They may be small, but these pests have been known to destroy entire plantations, which as you know can ruin a family’s livelihood.
This is why it is important to keep the bird populations healthy and abundant.”
The suppliers of gourmet coffee note many studies have linked plentiful forest land to the number of beetle-eating birds, which may serve as a helpful tip for farmers to strategically plant their crops in well-vegetated areas.
J. Martinez is a premiere supplier of Hawaii Kona coffee http://www.martinezfinecoffees.com.
About J. Martinez & Company
Established in 1988, J. Martinez & Company is an Atlanta-based purveyor of fine coffees and other gourmet items. J. Martinez & Company originated the concept of single estate coffees more than twenty years ago and still carries only the finest premium coffee beans from estates around the world, including Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee and Kona coffee from Hawaii.
